Path to be cleared for UPS/Pratt Whitney facility in Londonderry

LONDONDERRY — Construction crews will soon begin clearing the way for a building that’s expected to bring hundreds of jobs to the Pettengill Road area.

During Wednesday night’s Londonderry Planning Board meeting, the board approved the initial phase of the new Prologis distribution center at 4 Pettengill Road.

Once built, the 614,000-square-foot building will handle work for Pratt & Whitney and United Parcel Services.

Project engineer Chris Rice of TFMoran, who was at the meeting on behalf of Prologis, said the plan was to seek approval for the entire project next month.

Rice said the board’s willingness to allow prepping the site now means starter projects, such as tree clearing and other site work, would move construction along during good weather and help meet the goal of having the building ready by early next summer.

Project officials said they plan to work with the town to supply an undisclosed bond amount to serve as a safeguard if things don’t go as planned.

John Trottier, assistant director of public works and engineering, said town staff recommended granting a requested waiver for site development.

“We’re stretching things along, we’re looking at things like building elevations and lighting, but obviously we’re not at that point yet,” Trottier said. “But we’ll see to it in the coming months,”

He noted that neighboring property owners have been notified of the pending activity on the site.

Fellow project engineer Bob Duval said the structure, located on a 45-acre parcel, would be set about 1,500 feet from Raymond Wieczorek Drive. Right now the plan is to extend Pettengill Road by 1,800 feet, ending at a cul-de-sac.

“Those driving along the main road will be able to see very little of it,” Duval said. “Between the landscaping and all those existing trees, most of this facility will be shielded. “

Once open, the new distribution center will serve as a centralized distribution center for Pratt & Whitney parts, tools and other supplies, with UPS providing services such as parts receipt, storage, the building of manufacturing and assembly kits, inventory management and freight transportation. The project was revealed to the public earlier this spring. At that time Pratt & Whitney Senior Vice President of Engineering & Operations Danny DiPerna said the pending partnership would give his company the chance to focus on core operations while ramping up its PurePower engine line.